What Does Turner Commitment Mean?

Kevin Flaherty

06/21/2010

The commitment of four-star cornerback Josh Turner gives the Longhorns 21 commitments for the year. What does it mean for the rest of the class?

Texas typically jumps on recruiting quickly. The Longhorns seemingly fill most of their class before April — this year's class had 18 commitments before the end of February — thanks to great early recruiting and outstanding success on Junior Days. And now, with Turner's announcement, the Longhorns are working with limited space in the 2010 class.

What does that mean?

For one thing, it means that spots are running out for the remaining Longhorn targets. Texas has offers out to Cibolo Steele running back Malcolm Brown, San Antonio Madison running back Aaron Green, Shreveport (La.) Evangel defensive end Jermauria Rasco, San Antonio Sam Houston defensive tackle Quincy Russell and Dallas Skyline linebacker Anthony Wallace. The Longhorns have also shown heavy interest in Gig Harbor (Wash.) tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Russell was an early Longhorn commitment, but decided to re-open his recruitment.

Turner's commitment casts some doubt on the recent offer to David Jenkins. Texas already has four cornerback commitments (including three of the top five cornerbacks in the country), with speedy Mykkele Thompson expected to start off on the defensive side of the ball.

The Longhorns have filled most of their needs in the class, though a spot is obviously reserved for another running back. Texas has landed Joe Bergeron, a powerful runner who could fill a need as a short-yardage back. But the Longhorns would like to grab an elite target at the position, with Brown representing the Longhorns' best shot at the position. Brown is the top running back in the country, a strong back with the speed and vision to take plays the distance.

The class so far

Even without Brown, if Texas can hold onto its current class, the Longhorns will likely boast a top-five class, and probably the top grouping in the country. There's a lot to like there. Defensively, the Longhorns have landed the top three defensive prospects in the state in defensive tackle Desmond Jackson, linebacker Steve Edmond and cornerback Leroy Scott, all of whom are five-star players, and five of the top six.

In addition to that, they've pulled in the top prospect in Arizona in offensive tackle Christian Westerman and the top prospect in Oklahoma in Turner.

The defensive part of the class is stellar, and should team with the 2009 signees — another strong defensive class — to give Texas an elite defense in the future. The Longhorns' 2009 linebacker class was among the best in the country, and they've added to that group with Edmond and Chet Moss. Jackson is a disruptive tackle, while Cedric Reed has the potential and frame to develop into another strong pass-rusher. The cornerback group is likely the top group in the country, while Sheroid Evans is ranked as the No. 2 safety nationally.